01/11/2026
I gave a painter all my keys. Then he disappeared on a bender.
My neighbor up the street recommended him. “Eddie is good. And cheap too.”
So I hired him for my Echo Park triplex.
I gave him all my keys.
And then… nothing. He was gone.
He had access to my property. And there were other single women living there.
Next move was hiring a locksmith. Which is how I ended up with a guy threatening me over a dropped call and the police…
So yes, it’s tough out there.
There are really bad players out there who take advantage of anyone vulnerable.
I stopped winging it.
Now I get 3 bids.
It exposes the outlier immediately.
I vet everyone.
We write an agreement before work starts.
License verified.
References are best.
Payments get tied to progress so they can’t ghost mid-job. It wouldn’t be in their best interest to.
I look at their handwriting on the estimate.
If there are Indecipherable numbers?
That’s a hard no.
I know what to look for - I was trained by an expert who consults for the FBI.
We watch their body language.
They can’t help but reveal themselves.
The vetting catches the Eddie types and the threatening locksmiths before you hand over your keys.
The answer to being exposed to bad players is screen them.
Change orders do happen.
I know how to handle them.
I use the same negotiation skills I use when buyers think they’ve got leverage post-inspection.
It’s from studying with Chris Voss, the fbi hostage negotiator.
His tools work whether you’re negotiating with a contractor or a buyer’s agent.
You create a collaborative and creative relationship and use certain tools to get what you want without sacrificing the good will between you.
I’ve renovated 8 properties.
And each one isn’t done when construction is finished.
Each one needs maintenance and repairs while you own them.
When you go to sell, 85% of my clients need some work done.
Part of Curated Move™ is prepping your home. The vetting process gives you peace of mind instead of stress.
I have people I trust and a way of operating I share with you.
You can learn from my mistakes.
DM me if you want to learn more.
—Alexis